Olivia presents summer project at the British Society for Haemostasis and Thrombosis Conference

In September 2025, our current Part II Pathology student Olivia Mei undertook a summer research project in the Toh Laboratory at the University of Liverpool, supported by a British Society for Haemostasis and Thrombosis (BSHT) Summer Studentship. The project, titled “Characterisation of microclots, defined as amyloid fibrin(ogen), in sepsis models”, focused on investigating pathological clot structures implicated in sepsis, an area of growing interest within haemostasis and thrombosis research.

During the studentship, Olivia gained extensive hands-on experience in laboratory techniques including immunohistochemistry, antibody staining for von Willebrand factor (vWF), amyloid-specific dye staining, and the use of fluorescence microscopy. The project provided valuable training in experimental design, data interpretation, and problem-solving, while further developing scientific thinking skills built during previous research experiences. The work was conducted under the supervision of Simon Abrams, whose guidance and support were integral.

The findings from this project were presented at the Annual BSHT Conference, in January 2026 in Cardiff, where Olivia represented the Toh Laboratory as a summer student award holder. Attendance at the conference offered the opportunity to engage with clinicians and researchers working at the forefront of haemostasis and thrombosis, and to participate in a national research community with a strong emphasis on collaboration and mentorship.

Overall, the studentship and conference presentation provided an important early exposure to translational research, reinforcing Olivia’s interest in academic research and highlighting the value of student involvement in national scientific meetings. As Olivia continues in the third year of her degree in medicine, she aims to use these skills to further propel her through her current project in our lab!